The 4-match India-Australia Test series is all set to commence at Pune from the 23rd of February. The Border-Gavaskar trophy, as the series as now called, has assumed a lot of significance over the last couple of decades and the new series is hence being eagerly anticipated by fans of both the sides.
In the last many years, the two countries have been involved in some truly epic contests, especially after India's famous come-from-behind victory in the epic Kolkata Test of 2003. Both the teams push the players from either side to bring out their best and hence we have seen countless unforgettable individual performances - both with the bat and the ball - whenever the two clash.
And while we await many more such indelible performances in the upcoming Test series, it will be a good time to look at the best five biggest partnerships from the India-Australia Test history. Take a look.
Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke - 386 runs at Adelaide, January 2012:
After already crushing the visiting Indian side 3-0 in the previous three Tests, Australia's two premier batsmen got together to knock the stuffing out of India at Adelaide in the 4th Test. Ricky Ponting (221) was his usual controlled self while captain Michael Clarke (210) played one of his most fluent knocks to stitch together a colossal 386-run stand. The partnership helped Australia score a massive 604-7 (dec.) and win the match by 298 runs.
VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid - 376 runs at Kolkata, March 2001:
Probably one of the greatest ever partnerships in Test history, one that transformed the fortunes of Indian cricket. After following on in the second Test at Kolkata, India were looking down the barrel and facing an embarrassing series loss at home. However, VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) scripted one of the most sensational come-from-behind rescue acts ever. Their mammoth 376-run stand for the 5th wicket got India to a score of 657 and then eventually win the epic Test by 171 runs.
Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara - 370 runs at Hyderabad (Deccan), March 2013:
After scuttling Australia out for 237 in the second Test of the series at Hyderabad, opener Murali Vijay (167) and the ever reliable Cheteshwar Pujara (204) got together for the second wicket and bury the visitors to the ground. Their glorious 370-run stand, laced with some of the most gorgeous shots, was enough for India to achieve a victory by an innings and 135 runs.
Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman - 353 runs at Sydney, January 2004:
Another historic partnership involving VVS Laxman and this time he had Sachin Tendulkar for company. In the 2004 Sydney Test, Laxman (178) and Tendulkar (241*) came together at 194-3 and with their 353-run partnership helped India post its highest ever score against Australia. The quality of runs dazzled the crowd as runs flowed like butter from the batsmen's bats. Although the match ended in a draw, it will always be remembered for this majestic partnership.
Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey - 334*runs at Sydney, January 2012:
In the 2012 Test at Sydney, India, after being bowled out for 191, were looking to make a comeback after restricting Australia to 37-3. However, captain Michael Clarke (329*) and Michael Hussey (150*) formed an unbeaten 334 run stand for the 5th wicket to push India out of the game. This spectacular partnership took Australia to a score of 659-4 (dec.) and won them the match by an innings and 68 runs.
